Have you ever lost track of your thoughts, forgotten what you were doing, or simply felt like your mind had gone silent? This common yet puzzling experience, known as mind blanking, is the focus of a new scientific paper exploring what actually happens in our brains during these moments.
Published in the journal Trends in Cognitive Sciences, the paper is the work of a European research team and neuroscientists from Monash University. It compiles current knowledge and new insights from studies that tracked brain activity while participants reported thinking of “nothing.”
“During wakefulness, our thoughts usually flow between topics,” the researchers write. “But sometimes, we experience a gap — no reportable thoughts at all.”
According to co-author Dr Jennifer Windt of Monash University, mind blanking tends to happen when the brain is in a high- or low-arousal state — like during extreme tiredness or intense focus. “Even when we try to concentrate, our minds can wander or go completely blank,” she says.
The study found that mind blanking is surprisingly common, occurring in 5–20% of our waking life. It can happen after long periods of concentration, sleep deprivation, or physical exertion, and is also reported more often by children with ADHD.
Brain scans during these episodes revealed slower, sleep-like waves and decreased sensory processing — even though participants were technically awake. Researchers described this as “local sleep” within the brain.
Lead author Thomas Andrillon says the research is timely. “Mind blanking challenges the idea that we’re always thinking when we’re awake,” he said.
The team hopes this work sparks broader exploration. To read the full study, visit: www.cell.com/trends/cognitive-sciences
